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What to do if…
water is running from an outside pipe and will not stop

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Do not block the pipe or touch the discharge. Keep away from the outlet; if there is steam, very hot water, a gas smell, hissing, standing water near electrical equipment, or any unsafe access, move away and call 911 or the fire department from a safe place if there is immediate danger. If the area is dry and safe, shut off the relevant water supply if it is clearly identified, or shut off the home’s main water, then contact a qualified plumber or building management promptly.

Do not do these things

  • Do not cap, plug, clamp, tape, or obstruct the pipe. It may be a safety discharge.
  • Do not touch the stream or stand close to an unknown discharge. Treat it as potentially hot.
  • Do not approach a water heater that is steaming, very hot, hissing, or unsafe to reach.
  • Do not test, lift, dismantle, or try to repair a suspected relief valve during the incident.
  • Do not spray a hot water heater with cold water or try to cool it yourself.
  • Do not touch electrical switches, breakers, or equipment while standing in water or when the access route is wet.
  • If you smell gas, do not use switches, appliances, or a phone inside. Leave immediately and call 911, the fire department, or the gas company from outside.
  • Do not keep restarting the water heater to see whether the flow stops.

What to do now

  1. Pause at a safe distance.

    • Keep children, pets, and other people away from the outlet.
    • If you smell gas or hear hissing that may be gas, leave immediately. From outside, call 911, the fire department, or the gas company.
    • If there is steam, very hot discharge, indoor flooding, water near electrical equipment, or unsafe access, move away. Call 911 or the fire department from a safe place if there is immediate danger; otherwise arrange urgent professional help.

  2. Look for an obvious source without touching or dismantling anything.

    • From a dry, safe area, see whether the pipe appears to run from the water-heater area, cooling equipment, irrigation equipment, or another visible plumbing route.
    • Check for obvious pooling near the water heater or a visibly overflowing fixture.
    • Do not spend time trying to diagnose the exact cause.

  3. If the discharge appears to come from the water heater, remove the heat source only if the breaker or control is safely accessible.

    • Do not approach the heater to reach a control.
    • For an electric water heater, switch off the heater circuit breaker only if you can reach it without standing in water or entering an unsafe area.
    • For a gas water heater, follow the unit label to turn the heat source off only if there is no gas smell and the control can be reached safely without approaching a steaming, hissing, or very hot heater.
    • If safe access is uncertain, leave the heater alone and arrange urgent professional help.

  4. If water is still flowing and the route is dry and safe, shut off the home’s main water valve.

    • The valve may be near the front wall of the home, near the water heater, in a garage, or outside near the street in a covered box.
    • If you cannot find it, cannot turn it safely, or it does not close fully, ask building management, a qualified plumber, or your local water utility whether they can assist.

  5. Isolate an obvious fixture only when it is easy and safe.

    • If a toilet is continuously refilling, close the small fixture shutoff valve behind or below that toilet.
    • If the flow is clearly connected to irrigation, close the clearly identified irrigation shutoff if it is safe to reach.
    • Stop if the source is unclear.

  6. Contact the right help.

    • If you rent, contact your landlord or property manager’s emergency maintenance route.
    • If you own the home, contact a qualified plumber.
    • In an apartment or condo building, notify building management promptly because shared equipment or shutoffs may be involved.
    • If you suspect a water-heater relief-valve discharge, say that when you call.

  7. Reduce damage only if it is safe.

    • Move items away from wet areas only when the floor and route are safe.
    • Use towels for small indoor drips if there is no electrical risk.
    • Place a bucket outside only if the discharge is clearly cool and you can do so without approaching an unsafe outlet.
    • Take a short photo or video from a safe distance if it will help the plumber or building manager.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose the exact pipe or failed part now.
  • You do not need to test a relief valve, dismantle equipment, or attempt a repair.
  • You do not need to decide between repair and replacement today.
  • You do not need to clean up every wet item before the source is made safe.

Important reassurance

The source may not be obvious at first. You do not need to identify the exact cause before taking the safest first steps: keep away from the outlet, avoid obstructing it, stop the water or heat source only when safe, and bring in qualified help.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Later decisions and repairs may need a qualified plumber, building manager, utility provider, or emergency service depending on the source and the immediate hazards.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, code, or other professional advice. A suspected water-heater safety discharge can indicate an unsafe temperature or pressure condition. Do not obstruct the pipe or approach an unsafe heater.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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